Funding Decisions are Personal

Many funding decisions are made informally, often before the actual written proposal is submitted. Decision-makers are persuaded to approve projects based on a relationship of trust and confidence as much as by a well-crafted proposal. One state decision-maker was asked if he had ever funded a major project without personally speaking with the educator involved. His answer was a simple "No."

The lesson here: Get to know your funding source. If you are dealing with state individuals or people you don't know, gain the support of people you do know-principals, superintendents, curriculum supervisors, Tech Prep coordinators-who can intercede for you.

Outline for Preliminary Proposal (Narrative Format)

Project Title:

Project Director:

Institutional Affiliation:

Address and Phone Number:

Project Goal: (Brief description of what your organization does and what this proposal is designed to accomplish)

Funding: (List of specific requests and costs for each category below)